The Bell Rock Cemetery was first known as "Sandy Bank" and then "The Old Burying Ground" after 1832. It was set out near Sandy Bank, the first landing place of the settlers sailing up the Mystic River. Here too was the first meeting house set on Bailey's Hill, later Bell Rock, which records show was standing in 1649. The earliest records of Malden list Margaret Lewis, wife of John Lewis. She died on April 10, 1649, he in September 1657, and both were probably buried at Sandy Point. The earliest gravestone is that of Alice Brackenbury, wife of William, dated December 28, 1670.

The cemetery sits on 3.3 acres. The earliest gravestone date is 1670.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission refers to this cemetery in MACRIS as MAL.800 Bell Rock Cemetery.